Brian’s Blog was created for all of his friends, family, fans, and community members who are cheering him on in his fight against leukemia. Brian graduated from HHS in May of this year. Many people know Brian due to his leadership, sportsmanship, and outstanding athletic achievements including three state championships in wrestling, a state football championship, state discus champion 2011 and varsity track and soccer teams. He had received a call to serve a full-time mission to Uruguay and was planning to start his mission at the end of the month. After completing his mission to Uruguay, Brian planned to play football at SUU where he has already received a full-ride scholarship. Brian was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) on Tuesday October 2nd. That very day he was taken to Salt Lake City for intensive inpatient care. He has been receiving chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and other treatments. We hope and pray that Brian will recover with the help of competent medical care. Doctors say that there is an 80% chance that Brian’s cancer will respond favorably to treatment. Thank you so much for your support. We will keep you updated regularly on Brian’s progress.
Update: On January 14, 2014, Brian passed away after a 15 1/2 month battle with leukemia. He was in remission following the first series of chemotherapy treatments for only 3 months, in spite of earlier optimism. Another harder hitting chemotherapy began in June with the intention of following with a bone marrow transplant but instead, alternative treatments in Colorado Springs and later Atlanta were chosen. Those also were unsuccessful, too little too late. In November he underwent yet more chemotherapy in Denver. The leukemia did not respond. Brian returned home to Southern Utah friends and family on December 12, 2013. Leukemia took his mortal life, but it can't touch his spirit.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

One Month Today

It has been one month today since Brian entered the hospital with relapsed AML. So glad that's behind us and Brian is feeling better. They are weaning him off of morphine and he is able to take pills by mouth, so that is also good.  Last night was a lot quieter without IV monitors beeping so often. Next challenge is getting regular food started again.  He has one major sore in the middle of his tongue that is still healing and something else in his throat that is still healing, but it is amazing to see the healing that has taken place.  His ANC (front line white cell defense) is coming up each day. Haven 't got the CBC results from this morning, but yesterday it was at 300. He is still pretty sleepy but should be less sleepy today with the decreasing medications.  Monday he is scheduled for a bone marrow aspirate which will determine the next phase of treatment. If the leukemia is in remission, with a low enough minimum residual, they will put him on track for transplant at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. If not, he gets another course of chemotherapy to try to get it in remission.  I hope it is the first option, but I am not looking forward to it. Time marches forward for us all. Ready or not, here it comes. God will be with us and with you. Thank you for your love and prayers!
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Friday, July 5, 2013

Still Hanging In There...4 Days Later

The last few days have been similar; they have been tough.  About the time you think things are under control, things change.  Today the pain is staying under control with less morphine, and they upped the doses on the anti- nausea meds and he can sleep again, and better. Feeling constantly sick last night was like punishment, but since they fixed the meds this morning it is a much better situation.  He's sleeping without added oxygen, and sleeping hard. He is even looking better this evening.  Yesterday he had another CT scan and so far that and none of the additional precautionary tests that they have run have shown anything. That's so good. Although the counts are still down, the small points of progress make me think I might be seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel. 
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Monday, July 1, 2013

Still Hanging In There

Some things can't be rushed, and it looks like recovering from chemo this time is one of those things. I am thankful for the progress however small, Brian is still heading in the right direction. He's on a morphine pump which makes him sleepy but also helps with the pain. A few more days and things should get better so I am told.  He got up and got a shower today, and tonight he braved it and swished his tender mouth with Biotene like the nurse wanted, to prevent infection. Thursday was the last time he put anything in his mouth...tried a bit of water and it stunned him. So this is progress! On a brighter note, we have a great view of the Salt Lake Valley and are hoping that by Thursday he will feel good enough to sit up and watch the fireworks. The 4th of July is Brian's favorite holiday next to Christmas. Just want to thank all of you for your love and prayers.
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